Live On The QE2 - Clark Terry Quartet

Advantages: Previously unreleased material!
Disadvantages: Now you all know about it!

...I am a little loathed to review this album, because it is the best album I have ever owned, and I am a bit selfish and it is so good that I really don't want to share it! I know that old Tezza is making a come back as he has recently recorded a track with Massive Attack, has just completed a tour of the UK and will be back for another one in July (oh and will be playing at the O2 festival as well), but this album is a true gem and not many English Callier fans know about it. So first a quick guide to the legend Terry Callier: Originally from Chicago and a childhood friend of Curtis Mayfield, Terry has achieved cult status here in the UK. Terry's first release was in 1963 and some say that he was one of the main founders of the acid jazz movement, although his original style was definitely more Northern Soul. In 1983 Terry... Read review

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Advantages: --
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...of trumpets all blend in perfectly to make this one fantastic tune. It doesn't build up or slow down; it just proceeds along at this great pace. After that funkiness we are given a hiphop treat. "Blue On Blue" has a real old school hiphop beat to it complete with bomb, bullets, warzone sound effects. Mr. Lif raps on this track and his rhymes are fantastic. The words have great depth and meaning to them; it's all based around war and the current climate of terrorism we live in. The words are heartfelt but full of angst as well. This track shows Dave Clarke going back to his past when he was a hiphop DJ and this proves he hasn't lost his touch at all. "Deo Gratis" takes another direction. This a pure electro track from start to finish; it the background strings are overlapped by the heavy, grainy electro sounds and then at the end of the track it all... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A new name for many to savour.
Disadvantages: Not well known on this side of the pond!

...-writers , three alone with Mary Chapin Carpenter. Other collaborators include Gary Burr and Kim Richey! The collection comprises a wide variety on the 12 tracks, all solid and extremely catchy overall serving as a most suitable platform for her talents. The album is produced by Steuart Smith who also plays the accordion,guitar,bouzouki,mandolin and organ on most of the tracks - he is a rare performer himself.He certainly makes his mark felt. And what of the individual tracks themselves? Just a few thoughts about them. Track 1 - NO FEAR.......A Clark/Chapin one. Excellent choice to begin with.Good guitar,distinctive lyrics and very catchy. This is reputedly Terris favourite track. Track 2 - SOMETIMES GOODBYE.......Very good vocals coupled with top class backing of banjo and mandolin.Listen to the words on this one particularly....."I want... Read review

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